RICHMOND, Va. — The state Senate has passed the first long-term reform to Virginia's floundering 27-year-old system for funding repairs and upkeep of its 58,000-mile network of highways.

The 25-15 vote sends to Gov. Bob McDonnell what would be the defining policy legacy in the fourth and final year of the single, non-renewable term Virginia allows its governors.

It would replace Virginia's 17.5 cents-per-gallon retail gasoline tax with a 3.5 percent wholesale tax on gasoline and a 6 percent levy on diesel fuel. It boosts statewide sales taxes from 5 percent to 5.3 percent. It increases the titling tax on car sales and adds a $100 registration fee for fuel-sipping hybrid vehicles. It also rules out proposed tolls on Interstate 95 south of Petersburg.

So, we change and shift the gas tax from the end user to the distributors which likely won't change the prices at the pump at all, but increase the profits to wholesalers as they "pass on the cost." We raise the state sales tax .3% and we PUNISH people that want to be ecologically aware and purchase hybrid vehicles.

Move to VA and title your hybrid! We'll charge a fee because you use less gas.